Driven by the UAE’s enduring spirit of unity and generosity, a new national vision is taking shape to empower community participation and social development. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched an ambitious framework designed to transform volunteering and strengthen nonprofit organisations across the Emirates. The initiative, rooted in collaboration, compassion, and civic responsibility, unites citizens, residents, and institutions to embed giving as a defining feature of the nation’s identity.
A national vision for volunteering and social participation
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the “Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem” from Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The initiative seeks to reinforce the impact of volunteering, support nonprofit organizations in all forms, and advance their contribution to sustainable development.Sheikh Mohammed explained that the ecosystem includes a comprehensive strategy to expand the country’s volunteer base to 600,000 people, supported by a unified digital platform and initiatives to strengthen the third sector and public benefit organizations. He emphasized that the project’s goal is to increase the number of nonprofit organizations by 30 percent, facilitated through a single services portal, community project incubators, and a fund worth AED 100 million.“Our aim is to make volunteering easier, strengthen community participation, and embed giving as part of our national identity,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “The UAE is a country of progress and prosperity, but also of generosity and compassion. It builds with one hand, and gives with the other.”He thanked Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, who leads the strategy as Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, along with the dedicated team implementing the plan. “The UAE moves forward with two forces, economy and cooperation, and giving and solidarity,” he added.The launch is supported by the Education, Human Resources, and Community Development Council, which coordinates national efforts to promote social capital and empower the nonprofit sector as a driver of inclusive, sustainable progress.
Ambitious goals and measurable impact
The ecosystem aligns with the Year of Community and national directives to enhance social cohesion and expand volunteer participation. Over the next five years, the initiatives are set to deliver significant outcomes, including:
- Expanding the volunteer base to 600,000 active participants contributing a total of 15 million volunteer hours
- Doubling the contribution of nonprofit organizations to the national GDP
- Creating 10,000 new jobs within the nonprofit sector
- Increasing licensed nonprofit organizations by 30 percent
- Elevating the UAE’s ranking to the top three globally in the World Giving Index, where it currently ranks ninth
These targets are designed to enhance collaboration, generosity, and collective participation while positioning the UAE as a global leader in organized community engagement.
Strategic initiatives under the ecosystem
The Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem consists of eight strategic initiatives developed by the Ministry of Community Empowerment, structured around two integrated tracks: promoting a culture of volunteerism and empowering nonprofit organizations.A. Promoting the culture of volunteeringFour major programs are dedicated to embedding volunteering as a national value:
National Volunteering Strategy – Establishes a unified framework for volunteer work, focusing on policy development, legislation, and expanding both specialized and general opportunities for participation.- Volunteers.ae 2.0 – A next-generation digital platform that connects individual skills with suitable volunteering opportunities, offering an intuitive and interactive user experience.
- 7 Over 7 Campaign – A nationwide initiative promoting skill-based volunteering across all seven emirates to foster participation and cooperation.
- Your Time Counts – A program encouraging federal government employees to engage in volunteer work by linking voluntary leave with the performance management system, developed in partnership with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
B. Empowering the nonprofit sectorAnother four initiatives focus on enabling the nonprofit ecosystem:
- One Stop Shop – A digital hub integrating services and procedures for nonprofit organizations into one streamlined platform.
AED 100 Million Empowerment Fund – Supports sustainable investment in the nonprofit sector, ensuring measurable community impact.- Nonprofit Sector Launchpad – An incubator transforming innovative ideas into licensed, effective nonprofit entities.
- Plug-in for Leadership Programs – Designed to cultivate a new generation of leaders who understand and advance the nonprofit sector as a strategic pillar of national development.
The Ministry of Community Empowerment will work closely with the Emirates Foundation, local government bodies, nonprofit entities, and private sector partners to ensure smooth implementation and long-term success.
Building a sustainable legacy of giving
Beyond its institutional goals, the ecosystem aims to embed generosity, cooperation, and civic duty into the everyday lives of UAE residents. By aligning with the nation’s broader vision for sustainability and social well-being, the initiative builds a permanent structure for organized community engagement, ensuring that volunteering remains central to national progress.It also seeks to empower individuals, companies, and institutions to create lasting impact, nurturing a society that not only builds but also gives, a principle Sheikh Mohammed described as the UAE’s defining dual force.With its clear framework, digital integration, and measurable targets, the Volunteering and Community Engagement Ecosystem represents a strategic leap forward, transforming goodwill into organized, scalable, and sustainable action across the Emirates.
